House Speaker Mike Johnson said Jared Kushner “hedges bets” after President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and outside adviser met privately with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), while insisting Republicans will retain their House majority in November.
Johnson Brushes Off Private Kushner-Jeffries Meeting
“I heard about it the first time this morning,” Johnson said Sunday on Fox News. “I know Jared is a smart guy and he hedges bets, but I’m telling you what, you better not bet against the House Republicans.”
Johnson said he did not know the meeting’s purpose. “I know Jared has interests in lots of other things going on,” he said. “He’s not really directly involved in the admin, at least in the day-to-day in the White House.”
AP reported on Sunday that Kushner and Jeffries met recently in New York and discussed housing, immigration and the cost of living. Kushner also suggested Jeffries meet White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles. The two previously worked together on criminal-justice reform.
The stakes are high because Jeffries would likely become speaker if Democrats recapture the House. Trump recently said he would “probably get along” with Jeffries if Democrats win the chamber.
Johnson Says 19 Seats Could Decide House
Johnson said Republicans will defy the historical tendency for the president’s party to lose ground in midterms.
“I’ve been all around the country the last several weeks,” he said. “This is gonna come down to a race of about 19 seats that will decide the fate of the republic.”
He called November a “contrast election” and argued Republican candidates and voter enthusiasm would preserve the majority. RNC Chair Joe Gruters has likewise said he is “very optimistic” Republicans will keep both chambers.
Polling Shows Democrats Leading House Battle
Polling highlights the challenge. An August Reuters/Ipsos survey found registered voters preferred Democratic congressional candidates 42% to 37%. A separate Reuters/Ipsos poll put Trump’s approval at 33%, the lowest of his presidency.
AP noted that Republicans are defending a slim House majority, with control likely to turn on a handful of battleground districts. Democrats hope to repeat 2018, when voter backlash during Trump’s first term swept them into control.
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